"My dear sister, you've finally arrived! We tried to invite you before, but you wouldn't come no matter what we asked." The woman in palace attire warmly took Su Chen's hand.
Su Chen smiled faintly, "Sister Duanfei is too kind. I didn't visit you before because I was afraid of being too forward."
"Seeing you today, my sister is indeed stunning. The title of the most beautiful woman in the capital is well-deserved!" Consort Duan praised, looking Su Chen up and down.
"Compared to her older sister, the younger sister is naturally no match." Su Chen was tired of saying polite things, so she just hoped that her sister could be more direct.
"I heard that yesterday Consort Shu threw another tantrum and made the Emperor stay overnight at Chuxiu Palace. That's really going too far," Consort Duan said angrily.
Su Chen raised an eyebrow; finally, the topic of this conversation had emerged.
"If His Majesty likes it, there's nothing we can do about it," Su Chen said calmly.
Consort Duan slapped Su Chen's hand in exasperation. "That's right. A monarch should bestow his favor equally on all, and never favor one person exclusively. His Majesty may wish to, but Consort Shu always gets in the way. Sigh... Sister, you're just too soft-hearted."
Su Chen: ? ? ? What happened to the proper lady from a respectable family? What happened to the dignified and self-possessed demeanor? I didn't see it coming, I really didn't see it coming.
"Why don't you join forces with me, sister, and make that Consort Shu more dignified?" Consort Duan scrutinized Su Chen's face. "With your looks, becoming the most favored concubine in the harem would be a piece of cake for you."
"Um..." Su Chen was in a dilemma. She didn't want to be favored at all!
"Does my sister still have any concerns?" Consort Duan noticed her predicament.
Su Chen lowered her eyes. "My sister only wants to live a peaceful life in the palace. As for favor, she'll leave it to fate." If she were to truly gain favor, Consort Duan might be the next one to target her.
Consort Duan shook her head. "Sister! Even if you have no one to oppose you, with your stunning beauty, Consort Shu still sees you as a thorn in her side."
Su Chen thought to herself: That's true, but you're no saint either! I can't just escape one danger only to fall into another.
Su Chen had no choice but to take a roundabout approach. "Sister Duanfei, please grant me a few more days. I will reply to you once I have made up my mind."
"Alright, I'm sleepy too, so I won't keep you any longer. You need to think it over carefully." The last "think it over carefully" was clearly emphasized.
This seemingly persuasive approach is actually a threat; the combination of soft and hard tactics demonstrates true skill.
Su Chen understood that when she competed for the emperor's favor, Consort Shu would target her, while Consort Duan only needed to sit back and watch the two fight it out without bloodshed, and then reap the benefits of their mutual destruction.
Mumu helped Suchen back to His Majesty's palace.
Mumu asked in confusion, "Your Highness, Consort Duan is trying to win you over, why don't you agree?"
Su Chen smiled and said, "Silly girl, you can't just offer yourself up to be used as a pawn."
Mumu gave a half-understanding "oh" and continued to perform acupuncture and apply medicine to Su Chen.
"By the way, what is our Emperor's name?" Su Chen asked curiously.
"This servant dares not say..." Mu Mu lowered her head.
"It's alright, speak closer." Su Chen leaned closer and offered her ear.
Mumu leaned closer and whispered, "Jun Mochen."
Su Chen nodded. The name sounded quite nice, but it didn't match up with that dog king.
When our young, foolish King Abu, Jun Mochen, returned to his bedchamber, a strong smell of medicine filled his nostrils.
His face immediately darkened with displeasure as he asked, "Who brewed the medicine?"
"It is your concubine." Su Chen quickly covered her clothes and bowed down.
"There's no need for such a grand gesture since you're injured," Jun Mochen waved his hand.
After expressing her gratitude, Su Chen was helped up by Mu Mu, who was standing beside her.
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